Seal-die of Isabella of Hainault

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Medieval, AD 1180-90
From Paris, France

The seal-die of a medieval king or queen was usually destroyed
on their death. Consequently very few have survived to the present
day. The seal-die of Isabella is exceptional for this reason, and
also for the extremely high quality of its craftsmanship.

The seal-die depicts a queen, crowned and holding a sceptre and
a fleur-de-lis. The Latin inscription reads 'Elizabez Dei Gracia
Francorum Regina' ('Isabella, by grace of God, queen of
France').

Isabella of Hainault was the wife of Philip II of France
(reigned 1179-1223). Their marriage took place in 1180. It was a
political union - Isabella was only eleven years of age and Philip
was fifteen. In 1187 Isabella gave birth to Philip's heir, Louis,
and in 1190 she died in childbirth. She was buried in the cathedral
of Notre-Dame in Paris.

During building works in 1858 Isabella's coffin had to be moved.
It was opened and the seal-die was found along with a ring and a
roundel depicting the Lamb of God. They were removed to the
cathedral treasury along with other items discovered during the
works. In 1860 the treasury was burgled, and, although many of the
treasures were recovered, the seal-die had disappeared without
trace. Not until 1957 did it appear in London where it was
discovered by Captain R. Johnes before being acquired by The
British Museum in 1970.